Critical Enquiry MEd
Course code X320
What is special about this course?
The Master of Education: Critical Enquiry is a three-year, part-time online programme for professionals working in education settings. Participants build on their skills in reflective practice to critically engage with educational theory, research, policy and complex professional issues.
The programme utilises a collaborative approach to online learning, with learning activities designed to develop teacher agency, support professional dialogue and develop critical enquiry to inform practice. Participants choose the focus of their work on each module to fit with their professional interests and responsibilities. The collaborative learning activities support participants to work together on practice and develop creative responses to professional issues.
Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.
Special features
- The course is fully online, allowing you to fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments
- You will have the opportunity to develop your professional skills
- Specifically, you will use theory to reflect on practice; critically reflect and engage with a range of professional issues; develop your collaborative skills and work as an effective member of a team
- You will carry out educational enquiries and research in your workplace
- Aligned with the General Teaching Council of Scotland (GTCS) standard for career-long professional learning
- There are face-to-face events in November and June, where you will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and share the outcomes of your enquiries
Entry requirements
- Honours or ordinary degree with relevant practice experience
- You must be employed full-time or part-time within an education setting
PgCert
You will study the following modules:
- Introduction to critical enquiry
- Policy and practice
- Collaborative enquiry
PgDip
You will study the following modules:
- School based research approaches
- Critical reflection and enquiry
- Teacher agency and professional practice
MEd
To achieve the award of MEd you must submit a proposal for and complete an educational enquiry project.
How will I study my course?
- Part-time (structured)
- You will study through supported online learning via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Activities and reading are supported with online seminars enabling discussion with tutors and peers
- There are face-to-face events in November and June, where you will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and share the outcomes of your enquiries
How long will my course last?
- Part-time (structured): 3 years
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
Start date
- August
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £584 | £584 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £1,752 | £1,752 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £3,504 | £3,504 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £5,256 | £5,256 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland) or assessed as rest of the UK for fee status, the following fees apply:
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £720 | £780 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £2,160 | £2,340 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £4,320 | £4,680 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation, 180 credits) | £6,480 | £7,020 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
This course is not available to students domiciled outside of the UK or for international students requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK. For students living in the UK and assessed as international fee status, the following fees will apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| 2023-24 | 2024-25 | |
| Per module (20 credits) | £1,080 | £1,110 |
| Postgraduate certificate (3 modules, 60 credits) | £3,240 | £3,330 |
| Postgraduate diploma (6 modules, 120 credits) | £6,480 | £6,660 |
| Masters degree (6 modules + dissertation) | £9,720 | £9,990 |
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international postgraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.
Funding
Eligible Scotland-domiciled students studying part-time can apply for a tuition fee loan from SAAS. You must be intending to complete the course in no longer than twice the length of time it would take for a full-time student. For example, if your course is available to full-time students as a one-year programme, you will be funded for a maximum of two years' part-time study. If your course does not have a full-time option, you must complete within three years. You can apply for a tuition fee loan up to £7,000, which will be paid pro-rata for each academic year of study.
Full details can be found on the SAAS website. Applications for loans open in April.
Students from the rest of the UK who meet the eligibility requirements may be able to apply for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
What can I do on completion of my course?
The programme provides teachers working in Scotland with direct links to the professional standard structure they work within (GTCS, 2012) and will provide individual participants with evidence to support the process of professional update that they engage in to record their professional learning.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Committing to studying when working full-time with a family can be very demanding. However, after successfully completing year one of the MEd, I already feel that I have a better understanding of aspects of my professional practice. I have gained so much already - not least a new job - that I know it was the right decision for me.
Hayley graduated from the MEd Critical Enquiry while working full-time in education in Moray.
Apply for Critical Enquiry MEd
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.